Is 55 minutes too short of a layover at the Seattle airport?

[acpalmer]

We are flying home to Denver from Aulani this summer through Seattle and when I originally booked the flight, we had a nice 2.5 hour layover during which I thought we could grab breakfast before boarding our next plane to get home.

Now Delta has emailed me that the flight schedule has changed and we are not only departing Hawaii over an hour later than originally scheduled, we are also departing Seattle half an hour earlier than originally scheduled, which means our layover time is now down to 55 minutes.

This makes me really nervous, but I don't know the Seattle airport at all. And I have very little experience with Delta (only once before and it was miserable, but I figured that every airline has their bad days and Pete speaks of them so highly on the podcast that I decided to give them another chance). I don't know if they switch schedules often enough that I shouldn't worry about it yet or if I should try to call and schedule a different flight to Denver so we have more time. I'd prefer not to pay a fortune in change fees and fare differences because they switched their schedule on me, but I also don't want to miss my connection.

Anyone have experiences with Delta and/or Seattle to offer? TIA!!

 

[OKW Lover]

If you don't think there is enough time to change planes in Seattle (I've never flown through there so I can't advise) under these circumstances Delta will change your flights at no cost. That's because they made such a large change in flight times. Just call them and politely ask to be changed to something with a longer layover. You may want to do some research on Delta's site before calling to see if some particular set of flights looks better to you.

 

[sam_gordon]

As OKW said, Delta is generally pretty good about changing flights if the connection is too tight. However, IS your connection too tight? I don't have a good answer. How many people are going? What are their ages? How mobile are they? For my family, I'd be willing to do a 55 minute layover in ATL, but everyone is healthy and can move relatively fast if needed. If you're traveling with a young child or someone who isn't mobile (needs a walker/wheelchair, etc), that changes the equation.

Also, does Delta work out of different terminals in Seattle or just one? That would affect my decision also.

If you determine the layover is too short, look at Delta's website for another flight on the same day that will work for you (don't worry about seat maps). If you could find two options, that would be good. THEN you call, explain you don't think the connection time is long enough and you'd like to be changed. Let them know you've already picked out other flights and give them the information.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you determine the layover is too short, look at Delta's website for another flight on the same day that will work for you (don't worry about seat maps). If you could find two options, that would be good. THEN you call, explain you don't think the connection time is long enough and you'd like to be changed. Let them know you've already picked out other flights and give them the information.

Agreed.

Seattle is our home airport, and while 55 minutes could be done, especially if you're at the front of the plane, I personally wouldn't enjoy it. The next gate might be right next door or it might be elsewhere. SEA has a subway to get to two away-from-the-main-building gate areas, and that involves walking and long escalators and then an escalator the other way...

 

[mco65]

How many gates does Delta have at SEATAC? when i was there last, they only had a half dozen and you could throw a rock from any to any.!

 

[Ranger111]

As mco65 said -- basically -- you will have NO PROBLEM

I fly out of Seattle at least a dozen times a year (I said at least). This would not bother me at all.

If you are really concerned, try to move your seat further to the front of the plane. If you can't do that on your own, call the airline, tell them that yes your connection is well within industry standards, but for this trip and who is traveling, you would like the peace of mind of being seated as close to the front of the plane as possible. Usually, they will do that.

If that does not work, when you get to the gate at the airport, make the same plea to people at the gate.

While it is possible, unless you have some "juice" with Delta (major Delta flyer), the odds of getting a free change are slim.

 

[acpalmer]

Thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. In doing a little more research, it appears that our flight from Hawaii lands in the South Satellite and our flight to Denver will depart from the B concourse, which will mean going a couple of stops on the underground train transportation. I also found that our flight in from Hawaii only has a 58% on-time arrival percentage. Those two factors together make this uncomfortable for me at this point, so I'm going to call Delta and see what they say.

I do appreciate that several of you said this would be no problem and that may very well end up being the case, but I think it's worth trying a call to the airline for my peace of mind.

 

[CarbonRiver]

We live in Seattle, and I fly out of Seatac fairly often. The train runs VERY frequently between the terminals and as others have said that should be plenty of time even if you have to get over to the B gates. I've made it through security and out to the Satellite terminals in as little as 30 minutes, though that isn't exactly fun.

Depending on how much they try to charge to change the itinerary in advance, United and Frontier do fly a number of flights out of Seattle as well, so if for some reason Delta did get you in late so you couldn't make the connection there should at least be other options to Denver without waiting too long. Would think they should be willing in that case to put you on the next available flight to Denver out of Seatac. Maybe Delta isn't as good but I've had Alaska move me to other airlines when they got me in after a connection.

 

[MillauFr]

How many gates does Delta have at SEATAC? when i was there last, they only had a half dozen and you could throw a rock from any to any.!

Delta is now scattered among the S and B gates. I have even heard they are using the A gates too. They are grabbing any gates they can get. I wouldn't worry about a 55 minute connection. Not sure why a Hawaii flight would only arrive ontime 58% of the time. It should be 90% +.

Of course Alaska is the best airline out there but Delta is pretty good too and should get you back to Denver even if you miss the connection.